A 65-year-old Congress worker died after an iron rod from a tent erected for senior party leader Rahul Gandhi's scheduled event fell on him at the premises of a school in Dehradun. The incident took place on Thursday evening.
According to eyewitnesses, labourers were assembling an iron framework at the venue when a heavy rod from the structure suddenly fell onto Amar Mehta's head. The impact caused severe head injuries, leading to heavy bleeding.
People present at the site immediately rushed him to a private hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Mehta had been an active Congress worker for several decades. His son is also associated with the Indian Youth Congress, the youth wing of the party.
Speaking to the media, Uttarakhand Congress President Ganesh Godiyal expressed profound grief over Mehta's death. He said, "This is an extremely tragic incident... He lost a significant amount of blood. The doctors did everything they could to save him, but unfortunately, they could not."
The fatal incident occurred during the preparations for Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron ki Goonj' (Voice of Students) programme, scheduled to be held on Friday, July 17, at a school ground in the city.
Godiyal clarified that the event would go ahead as originally scheduled. He, however, said it would be conducted in a simple and subdued manner. The state Congress chief also said Rahul Gandhi would address students and was also likely to visit Mehta's family at their home to offer his condolences.
The 'Chhatron ki Goonj' programme has been planned by the Congress party as an avenue for interaction between Rahul Gandhi and students on issues including question paper leaks.
